Old-timers have Purdue flourishing

In 1994, Purdue went to its first Final Four under coach Lin Dunn. The next season, the nation's top recruiting class committed to Dunn. All appeared to be well.

Instead, two coaching changes, numerous transfers and turmoil ensued. Through it ail, the Boilermakers managed to persevere and play well, but they weren't quite prime-time material. Now, they are No. 2 in the country and headed toward a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

This is because of the people who decided to stick around, namely seniors Stephanie White-McCarty and Ukari Figgs, the backbone of the deepest and most experienced backcourt in the country.

"We just wanted to stay and keep the program on its feet in a sense and really bring it back to where it was," White-McCarty says.

Dunn's final three seasons at Purdue were tumultuous, beginning in 1994 with an NCAA investigation that resulted in 11 secondary infractions and a public reprimand. Three players transferred, including Leslie Johnson to Western Kentucky. Dunn's contract was not renewed in the spring of 1996. Nell Fortner was hired, and four players, including Nicole Erickson and Michele Van Gorp (both to Duke) and center Summer Ed) (NC State), transferred in a show of support for Dunn.

White-McCarty and Figgs had just completed their freshman seasons when Dunn left. They had just finished their sophomore years when Fortner left to become coach of the national team. They will be leaving with Carolyn Peck, who will become the coach of the WNBA's Orlando team after the season.

Through the adversity, the two stuck together. They were roommates until White married last summer. They still live in the same apartment building. Their friendship binds the Boilermakers.

"It's a tight-knit team," Peck says. "They're all on the same page."

White-McCarty's stats are, actually, off the page--she leads the team in scoring (21.3 points), rebounding (6.1), assists (4.5) and minutes (35.5). Lightning-quick Figgs (14.6 ppg, 4.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds) leads the defensive effort.

What makes Purdue difficult to play is its versatility. Its guards can post-up or go outside. Three--Figgs, White-McCarty and 6-1 sophomore Katie Douglas--can run the show. Douglas can dump passes down low with ease over short defenders. Sophomore Camille Cooper is a 6-4 presence in the pest. The bench runs fairly deep.

Last year, the Boilermakers were an Elite Eight team. This year, they are ready to take the next step. "it's something that we've worked for," White-McCarty says. "Everything is really coming together. We're playing well. In spurts, we have our lackadaisical times. But we're finding ways to win, whether we play well or not. It stems from our experience."

Old Dominance

With a 74-50 victory over James Madison last Friday, Old Dominion won its 75th straight Colonial Athletic Association game. The last time the Monarchs didn't win the conference championship was 1991. So, to spice up its schedule a little, the Monarchs have scheduled such heavyweights as Texas Tech, Tennessee and UConn, which travels to the Field House for a 2 p.m. ET Saturday matchup (ESPN2).

This year's team features Mery Andrade as the only remaining member of the famous "Portuguese Connection" that helped the Monarchs to the 1997 national title game. Andrade, the team's No. 2 scorer (12.2 ppg) and rebounder (6.6) and emotional leader, is joined by a host of international players, including French national team member Lucienne Berthieu (13 ppg, 7.2 rpg).

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